Megillah 18 - December 30, 26 Tevet

Study Guide Megillah 18 Today’s daf is sponsored by Shikma Katz on behalf of her husband and children. Today’s daf is dedicated for a refuah shleima to Netanel Ilan ben Shayna Tzipora who is undergoing surgery this morning. The Gemara finishes explaining the order of Shmone Esreh. If the men of the Great Assembly put together Shmone Esreh, why did Shimon HaPakula need to organize it as well many years later? One is not allowed to add more to the prayer of Shmoneh Esreh that was put together by the rabbis as one cannot fully praise God so better not to say not enough or the wrong thing. The virtue of silence is praised by the rabbis. From where do we learn that the Megillah has to be read from a book? A translation is also no good - this means if it was written in another language and read in that language. But the Mishna also said that one who speaks a foreign language can read in that language! How can one resolve this contradiction? Rav and Shmuel say it is permitted only if it is in Greek. However, that also contradicts a braita that says that one who speak any language can read the Megillah in that language. Therefore Rav and Shmuel must have meant that Greek is permitted even if one doesn't speak Greek. One who doesn't understand Hebrew can still read the Megillah in Hebrew as just by reading it, one can fulfill publicizing the miracle of Purim. If one reads it in intervals, it is fine. The word for intervals is 'serugin' - it was a word unfamiliar to them and they learned the definition from Rabbi Yehuda HaNasi's maidservant. She also knew the definition of a number of other words that the Gemara lists. Rabbi Muna held that there is a time limit of the interval - that it not be longer than the time it takes to say the Megillah. Rav and Shmuel disagree about whether we hold like Rabbi Muna or not. What if the words are rubbed out? What does the reader do if he/she skips a verse? What if one walks in late? If one dozes off, one can still fulfill one's obligation. What is the definition of dozing? As one writes a Megillah and reads the verses as one is writing, can one fulfill one's obligation? On what does it depend? Can one write a book without using an existing book as one's guide? Are there any exceptions to this rule?